Door Sill Rubber Alternative

[Norm's Coupe]

I don't need new door sill rubber myself, but many have ask about it. Also many people don't want to pay the high cost of reproduction sill rubber either. I ran into what might be a decent alternative at the hardware store the other day. Simple and cheap alternative that looked close to the original pattern too. It's simply the rubber stair threads. Nice thing is, you can usually get them wide enough for the length too. Just trim a little and fasten it down with glue or screws.

Just thought I'd toss it out there in case anyone was interested. Check them out at your local hardware stores.

[55 Fargo]

Norm, I like. Now do you fasten it directly to the floor, or would you still use the metal base for the sill mats and glue it to that. Mine are in rough shape, so maybe I could put it to the floor, or make metal bases out of sheet metal and glue it to that and fasten the sheet metal to the floor first and add the rubber stair tread on top.

Would also like stainless or aluminum, diamond checker plate cut to fit, use stainless counter sink machine screws and fasten through sill mat hole in floor. These could be removed one day, if I came across a decent set of sill mats or if I get rich quick at some point.

If you happen to try this, please post a few pics for all to see........Fred

[Norm's Coupe]

Fred,

You could put the stair treads in either way. If you want aluminum sill plates, take a look at the modern after market running boards. You could cut them down to fit the sill too. Plus, should be a lot of those in the junk yards.

Hopefully I will not be trying either any time soon. My original sill mats are in good shape.

[John Burke]

I did that on my 49 Dodge....I used self tapping screws with a round, washered head. I cut them to fit and marked my holes, then just drilled right through the rubber into the sill. They look great....John

[55 Fargo]

John, how about a pic of this, would like to see, as I would like to try and make some up for my 47 Chrashler.........Fred

[John Burke]

hokay..2morrow I'll shoot some snaps for yah....John

[John Burke]

John, how about a pic of this, would like to see, as I would like to try and make some up for my 47 Chrashler.........Fred

As promised......here are a couple of shots of the rubber I used on my sills.....John

[Norm's Coupe]

John,

Those look pretty close to original just like I thought they would when I saw them laying on the hardware store shelf. I wasn't even thinking about door sill rubber at the time, was just walking through an isle when I ran across them. For some reason I immediately thought about the door sills. Since I didn't need them, I didn't price them. However, they can't cost that much, and I know no where near what the reproduction sill rubber runs.

[BobT-47P15]

I've always thought that type stuff would be an alternative for door sills. Just never went out and looked for any of it. However, I may have to, as my originals are getting more brittle and now a corner of one has cracked.

[knuckleharley]

For those of you who are interested in reproductoin rubber,you might want to check this guy out.

Door Sill Mats 1942 1946 1947 1948 Plymouth 42 46 47 48 Item number: 230148434256

Buy itnow price: US $289.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=ADME%3AB%3AFSEL%3AUS%3A1&viewitem=&item=230148434256

[55 Fargo]

Too rich for my blood right now, I plan on going the John Burke style mats till I can afford the repro mats someday. I will retain the original holes just in case...........Fred

[Norm's Coupe]

Fred,

Even if you fill the original holes in the door sill for now, you can always make new ones with a hole saw. If I was going to use the stair treads I would fill the holes first. Who knows if you'll ever come back to buying the original door sills down the road once the stair treads are on.

If you use screws like John did, you can mask them a little bit. Either paint the heads black or go over the heads with the Plasti Dip that you use for dipping tool handles into. Just dab a little of it over the screw heads and they should blend right in after a little wear.

[billwillard]

what about 2 sided tape?

[55 Fargo]

is it going to hold and be stable and durable, if so sounds like a good idea

[RHDSP15C]

I can't figure why you guys are having problems with theses sill mats.

I just cleaned mine with some of that rubber conditioner and they look almost new. Well I really know the answer, my car is a Desoto, much better than a Plymouth or a Dodge.

[Norm's Coupe]

I can't figure why you guys are having problems with theses sill mats.

I just cleaned mine with some of that rubber conditioner and they look almost new. Well I really know the answer, my car is a Desoto, much better than a Plymouth or a Dodge.

Don't forget the slogan Chrysler had back in the 40's. Plymouth Builds Great Cars! Don't remember them using that slogan for the other cars they built. Wonder if that was because Chrysler thought the Plymouth was the greatest of the bunch.

Actually, all I had to do with my door sills is clean them too, and they look like new. However, they are torn on a lot of the cars, so cleaning doesn't help them look that much better.

[RHDSP15C]

The Australian rubber was much better too !